Ladysmith Black Mambazo On Why They Keep Winning Big

Ladysmith Black Mambazo On Why They Keep Winning Big. Last week the legendary Sicathamiya band Ladysmith Black Mambazo scooped an award at the Grammys which was their 5th. An overall collection of awards of the group is 19 from various Award ceremonies in and out of SA.

The band formed back in the 60’s but to this day they are regarded as the best musical act to ever come out of SA. This time around the band reveals the secret behind their winning and how they still manage to keep everything so alive and relevant.

“We still continue with Black Mambazo’s legacy. The secret to our success is quite simple: we are still keeping the same sound since the group was formed in 1960,” says Sbongiseni current leader of the group the son of the Founder Joseph Tshabalala.

Sbongiseni further talked about his father who he says taught them a lot of things and how he (Joseph) wishes the band could win at least 10 more Grammy before he dies.

“Growing up, we learnt the tricks from him. We watched my dad rehearsing with his bandmates. Before introducing a new song to the rest of the band, he’d sing it to us; music runs in the family.”

Joseph retired from singing back in 2014 due to health scare conditions but still has a huge impact on the group.

“He’ll always be part of Mambazo. Before we take any decision, we still go to him for approval.”

“One of my dad’s biggest dreams is to build a school in his hometown, in Ladysmith. The school will focus on teaching young people not only isichathamiya, but amasiko [customs and traditions]. We have identified the site. We just need more sponsors to make his dream come true,” added Sbongiseni.

The  band is still overseas but will return to South Africa in April and head back to the UK to perform at Queen Elizabeth’s birthday party.